Seether with Papa Roach at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ on 17-Jan-2015

Starting off the New Year, Seether and Papa Roach, teamed up to co-headline a U.S. tour promoting their albums on Jan 9, in Myrtle Beach, SC before heading to Las Vegas, NV, to finish the tour onÂ Feb 7.

Islander and Kyng opened the show and did a great job warming up the crowd. Based on audienceÂ reactions, Kyng seemed to have more of a fan base, while Islander had to catch the crowdâ€™s attention. The band jumped into the crowd while singing, they were one with their audience, and had everyone singing along to their lyrics. After the opening acts finished, co-headliner Seether was set to take the stage.

After the set change, the theater went dark, with the exception of red string lights circling around the three microphones stands on the stage, the middle stand included an animal shaped skull. In the darkness, the sound of Shaun Morganâ€™s (vocals, guitar) guitar filled the theater. The lights went up and Seether was revealed, with Dale Stewart (bass, backing vocals) and John Humphrey (drums).Â The band performed hits such as â€œBrokenâ€ (originally performed with Evanescenceâ€™s Amy Lee), â€œRemedy,â€ “Country Song,â€ and â€œWords As Weapons.”

Even though Shaun Morgan sang â€œBrokenâ€ alone, itâ€™s still a crowd favorite live. The theater was quiet as Morgan began to sing, â€œI keep your photograph,â€ he paused and the crowd sang along with, â€œI know it serves me well. I wanna hold you high and steal your pain.â€ After their set was done the band threw outÂ drumsticks and guitar picks to the wanting crowd.

Members of Papa Roach hit the stage with, Jacoby Shaddix (vocals), Jerry Horton (guitars), Tobin Esperance (bass), and Tony Palermo (drums). The music instantly began, causing the crowd to head bang and jump around. By the third song Shaddix exclaims, â€œJersey came on fire!â€

Papa Roach was proudlyÂ promoting their eighth upcoming album, F.E.A.R releasing Jan. 27. The bandâ€™s set included popular hits such as â€œScars,â€ â€œLifeline,â€ â€œBetween Angels And Insects,â€ â€œBroken Home,â€ and ending with â€œLast Resort.”

Papa Roach is widely known for their chart-topping hit, â€œLast Resortâ€ being aÂ favorite to see live every time. One of the many songs they perform that gets the crowd going with the lyrics, â€œCut my life into pieces. This is my last resort. Suffocation, no breathing. Don’t give a fuck if I cut my arm bleeding.â€ Another great moment of their set was seeing, â€œBroken Homeâ€ whichÂ began with the chorus from Eminemâ€™s, â€œLose Yourself.”

Throughout the show front man Jacoby Shaddix, jumped and ran about, covering the entire front stage, both of the sides off of the stage, and even the back of the floor crowd. He even headed towards the back of the stage to high five a little boy watching the show.

All of the bands the show were great, but Papa Roach stole the night. You didn’t need to knowÂ allÂ of their songs in order to enjoy the show, because the band was constantly moving around and enjoying themselves, which resulted in a decidedlyÂ great time. Front man Jacoby Shaddix kept going on top of the speaker, causing the front section to go crazy with excitement.Â At one point Shaddix took a fanâ€™s selfie stick towards the middle section of the stage and started recording himself with it, throwing it back to the fan after he was done. Â Pure showmanship.

About The Author

Melanie Gomez is a concert reviewer and photographer living in the NY/NJ area. She graduated from William Paterson University with a BA in print journalism music with management as her minor. Her goal is to show people that they aren't alone, and that music is a healthy alternative to making better choices and meeting new people in their life. By sharing her pictures and experiences in the music world, she hopes to inspire other people to live their dreams and to never give up no matter what anyone says. She believes that everyone is capable of conquering their goals as long as they put their mind to it.